Utah has more than its share of public golf courses and good ones too. The greens fees are some of the greatest values in America. This is one of the things that makes Park City such a wonderful golf destination. Another is Park City is less than 40 minutes from the Salt Lake City airport.
They have far fewer private clubs than most states (between 15-20 in the entire state). When I asked why, I was told “ Most people join clubs for a sense of community and family activities. In Utah the LDS church serves that function, thus a decreased need for private clubs.” Approx one third of these private clubs are in the Park City area. That is compared to over 125 public golf courses in the state.
Wasatch State Park Mountain
Wasatch State Park is home to 2, 18 hole golf courses, the Lakes Course and the Mountain Course. The Lakes Course is nestled on the floor of the Wasatch Valley, while the Mountain Course appears to be sculpted into the Wasatch Mountain Range.
In todays golf course world, shorter is usually synonymous with easier. And, at 6459 yards from the tips, this course initially seems to be a short course. But don’t let this distance con you. Keep your winning bets in your pocket if you are a short hitter. What the Mountain Course lacks in distance, it makes up in plentiful challenges, with dense rough, limited fairway rolls, and a handful of green-protecting bunkers.
Even though it’s true that at 6000 feet of elevation the ball travels 10% further, you might not find this bonus at Wasatch Mountain. The crisp alpine air and chilly breezes often create additional challenges while keeping your ball from soaring and rolling, and you will rarely find your ball on a flat surface. At times, your ball will lie so high above your feet that you may feel like you are whacking a baseball bat rather than swinging a golf club.
When we headed out to the first teebox, the course manager, named Steakhouse, warned us about the local squirrels; “They not only steal any food from your cart, but they have been known to haul off with your wallets, money clips and cell phones.” You may also see elk, deer, moose and wild turkeys here. All of this wildlife adds to the charm and beauty of this public course.
The clubhouse sits at 5800 feet of elevation and the 12th tee box sits at 7200 feet. That 1400 foot elevation change gives you an idea of the dramatic climb necessary to reach some of the greens, and makes this course restricted to carts only. In fact, walking is not allowed. Throughout your assent, you will play a few narrow fairways and “draw-up” on your club choice. You may even find yourself coming up short to the green. However, the green-side bunkers are shallow and fine, making it easy to lob a shot near the pins.
But what goes up, must come down, and at hole # 8, you will be tempted to “grip it and rip it” some 591 yards down the mountain. But, before you do, take a moment to enjoy the snowcapped mountain view.
There are few areas that offer penalty lies, with water comming into play on less than 3 holes. Hazard markings are scarce and you’ll find little that is out of bounds.
This par 71 layout has 6 par threes and 5 par fives. That leaves only 7 par fours. I generally love courses with an abundance of par fives and threes because these are usually the most creative holes. My theory is upheld on this very scenic course, with the par fives offering spectacular and vast alpine beauty.
These two courses are located in the Midway, about a 25 minute drive from the center of Park City. The quaint, historically Swiss area, boasts additional uniqueness with artisan cheese shops and lively horse stables. So it is no wonder that Golf Digest voted it “one of the best places to play.”
I will bet this place is glorious when the fall colors are in their full spectacle.
Greens fees are $29.00, plus $13.00 for a cart
Season passes are available for $750.00
Golf wasatch telephone: 888-wasatch
Soldier Hollow Golf
At Soldier Hollow in Heber, UT (just a 20 min drive from Park City) there are 2 18-hole courses, Golf and Silver. The Gold course will host the U.S. Amateur Public Links in July 2012, the first major USGA championship for Utah in many years. You can play this as a USGA major venue, except for the second hole for which they will create a composite hole #2 that tees off from a tee box on the silver course and most of the hole is on the Gold course. It will be a 550 yard par 4 the longest par 4 in USGA championship history.
The first thing I noticed as we turned our car toward the clubhouse was the lack of trees--It is links style although certainly not on linksland. But don’t let the lack of trees fool you-there is plenty of places to loose your ball if you stray too far off the fairway into the thick vegetation. This complex was opened in 2004 to relieve the demand for Wasatch Mountain, just down the road. It was the site for a couple Olympic events (Biathlon and cross country) and the state park system decided to make the land a golf course after the Olympics were completed. They brought in Gene Bates who gave them this wonderful design. Of course this beautiful clubhouse cannot go unnoticed. It has a very contemporary look with a sloping roof that appears to mirror the mountain in its background. It features beautiful exposed beams, with floor to ceiling windows, so you can take in the breathtaking views from here.
This course definitely has plenty of length ranging from 7598 yards down to 5658, so there is something to challenge all levels of players.
Hole number one is very inviting with no trees, no bunkers and no water.
The first 7 holes are somewhat level and quite inviting--but as you work your way up into the foothills everything changes.
The mountain holes are the most spectacular but if you don’t play here first thing in the morning or late in the evening, you are almost certain to encounter some serious wind, which we did, just after noon. It was almost as if someone opened a big door at noon and let the wind come rushing through. It meant a 2-3 club difference in many cases.
Number 11 is a beautiful downhill downwind par four of 440 yards. I felt like superman with my 300 yard tee shot. But number 12 turns the other way into the teeth of the wind. Number 14 is not only a long par three but it has a green depth of 45 yards, that is nearly a half of a football field.
Number 15 tee box is probably the highest spot on the course and the view from here is expansive. I am sure you can see almost every one of the 36 golf holes here at Soldiers Hollow.
Number 16 is a fabulous par 3 that must tumble 150 feet down hill to a large green. Its just wonderful to watch your ball soar with majestic Mount Timpanogos in the background.
Number 17 is a deceptive par 5 double dogleg that looks very tight off the tee but truly has plenty of landing area.
You almost wish #18 wouldn’t arrive as you approach the beautiful clubhouse in the background.
Greens fees here are $42 plus cart
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